Voltage regulator and means for operating same



Sept, 6, 1955 A. E. J. BLEVIN VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND MEANS FOR OPERATING SAME Filed Dec. 4, 1952 7 DOWN w. (2W.

United States Patent VOLTAGE REGULATEQR AND MEANS FOR OPERATING SAME Andr Emile Jean'Blvin, Paris, France Application December 4, 1952, Serial No. 324,976

Claims priority, application France May 15, 1952 Claims. (craze-41 My invention has for its object a voltage regulator adapted to regulate the voltage of'a current-feeding net- Work for all the apparatuses that are to operate with said networkunder stabilized voltage conditions, while it is also capable of adjusting in particular the voltage rectified by rectifiers in accordance with the voltage of the network and with the resistance of the utilisation circuits submitted to a variable load, provided these variations in load are not instantaneous.

My improved arrangement that forms an actual standard unit, is formed chiefly by a discharge tube operating in neon or the like, adapted to start operation above a to operation and to rest, so as to produce, each time it enters its inoperative or rest position, aspeedy starting of the discharge tube under the action of a slight excess voltage the value of which is adjustable. Otherwise it remains permanently in either of its two positions of operation and of rest in the event of ari exce ss voltage or a lack of voltage of any substantial duration in the network or elsewhere. Thus it provides the'control of any known device returning the voltage to be regulated to its datum value.

The voltage to be regulated may be brought to the above referred-to value of the energizing voltage, either by means of a direct current *potentiometricsystem, or else through the agency of an alternating current transform-er. i

Further features of'myinvention will appear in the reading of the following description of an embodiment of my invention, given by way of example and by no means in a limiting sense, said embodiment being illustrated diagrammatically in accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a wiring diagram of a standard unit for regulating an A. C. voltage;

Pig. 2 relates to another standard unit for adjusting a l). C.-voltage.

in Fig. l, 1 designates a neon tube e. g., that is energized with a normal balance voltage that is near its operation starting voltage and that is proportional to the voltage to be regulated which latter may be for instance the voltage in the network or mains 2.

The voltage at the output of the neon tube 1 serves for negatively biasing the grid 3 of an amplifier tube 4'the output of which is cut off at each current pulse.

The current from the anode 5 of the amplifier 4 energizes a beating relay 6 controlling two movable'blades energizing each alternatively an upper'and a lower contact-piece. The closing of the upper and lower contactpieces by the movable blade 7 allows the beating relay 6 to control, through the wires 9 and It), the corresponding secondary relays 11 or 12 according to the position of the: beating blade 7. These auxiliary relays produce the starting in corresponding opposed directions of an electric motor 13 controlling the slide on a self-transformer 14.

The closing of the upper and lower contact-pieces by the second movable blade 8 provides for the closing or opening of a. short circuit'over a portion a-b of a potentiometeric resistance 15, which is inserted between the neon tube 1 and the input transformer 16 feeding the latter. The windings of the transformer 16 play reversed parts, the primary of the transformer being fed by the network.

17, 18, 19 and 20 designate respectively the loading resistances for the neon tube 1, for the biasing of the grid of the amplifier tube 4, for the feeding of the cathode 21 of said tube 4 and lastly, for the heating of the filament'22 of said tube 4.

When the movable blade 8 short-circuits the section a-b of the potentiometric resistance 15, it produces the starting of the neon tube 1 under the action of the slight extra voltage thus appearing in the circuit energizing said tube. Said extra voltage may be defined and adjusted precisely to the desired value by operating a potentiometer frequencies of 5 to 10 periods per second, by resorting for this purpose to a'relay 6, the release of which is slightly delayed.

On the other hand, the above mentioned relays 11 and 12 should be executed in a manner such as to produce a -suiiicient delay before they begin attracting the corresponding switches, say A of a second, so as not to be operating as long as the relay 6 continues beating.

' This beating operation continues as long as the neon tube l'is energized under the above referred-to voltage corresponding to normal conditions and which is near its starting voltage.

Now, ifa surge in voltage appears in the mains 2, this excess voltage will immediately produce a lasting operation of thelneon' tube'l, and the amplifier tube 8 which is negatively'biased, is blocked and keeps the beating relay 6 in its inoperative position for which its blade 3 short-circuits the section czb of the resistance 15 and its blade 7 controls one of the above mentioned auxiliary relays. This provides through the rotation of the electric motor 13 an actuation of the slider on the self-transformer 14 which returns the voltage to be regulated to its datum value. The beating relay 6 resumes then its beating operation, as the conditions have returned to normal.

If, in'contradistinction, a drop in voltage occurs in the mains 2, this drop involtage will immediately produce a lasting cut-off of the neon tube 1, and the amplifier tube 4 Will feed the beating relay 6. The relay 6 then ceases beating and occupies an operative position for which the blade 8 no longer short-circuits the section ab of the resistance 15, while its blade 7 controls the other auxiliary relay associated with it and which makes the electric motor 13 revolve then in the opposite direction so as to shift the slider on the self-transformer 14 and to return the regulated voltage to its datum value.

It is possible toprovide the electric motor 13 with amagnetic brake controlled by an auxiliary contact-piece associated with the auxiliary relays so as to cause the motor to stop immediately as soon as the slider on the self-transformer 14 has reached the position required for return to equilibrium.

The system including the two tubes 1 and 4 and the beating relay 6 may form an interchangeable standard unit adapted to serve whatever the value of the voltage that is to be adjusted. It includes no intricate mechanical part and, as the intensities passing through it are very low, its operation may be ensured for a very long time without any risk or failure.

The regulation may be extremely accurate and its accuracy is limited solely so as to prevent the motor 13 from continuously operating. Furthermore, the etficiensy of the system is excellent as it is defined by the factors governing the feed of the unit and of the driving motor.

Lastly, this adjustment, when executed on the A. C. mains, is practically independent of the frequency of the mains.

In the case of the regulation of D. C. voltage, as illustrated in Fig. 2, the standard unit includes the ditferent parts already referred to and which have retained in Fig. 2 the same reference numbers as in Fig. 1. However, the transformer 16 is no longer required and the voltage to be regulated and that is fed across the terminals 24 is connected with the unit in a manner similar to that in which the secondary of the transformer was connected therewith in the case of Fig. 1. If the voltage to be regulated is lower than the firing or ignion voltage of the neon tube 1, it is possible to insert in series with said voltage to be regulated a further volatge produced by a separate rectifier 25 that is stabilized directly by reason of its small output by a mere stabilizing tube 26, said voltage being added to the voltage to be regulated.

In the case of Figs. 1 and 2, a resistance 27 may be positioned inside a thermometric sound or tube so that its value may vary in accordance with the temperature of any desired part or chamber.

The adjustment of the actual generator may be obtained by inserting a resistance into the generator-energizing cir' cuit and short-circuiting it by means of one of the relays 11 or 12 alon or again, through a modification of the energizing circuit of said generator as performed by means of an auxiliary motor.

\Vhat I claim is: I

l. A voltage-regulating device, comprising a discharge tube, circuit means feeding same with a voltage forming a predetermined fraction of the voltage to be regulated, an am lifying tube including a grid and an anode, means wherethrough the discharge tube, upon discharge thereof, produces a negative bias on said'grid of the amplifier tube. a circuit fed by the anode of the amplifier tube, a beating relay fed by said anode circuit, said beating relay including two blades moving between two predetermined extreme positions and occupying said positions respectively when the voltage feeding the discharge tube rises above and sinks below a predetermined normal value slightly beneath the firing potential of the discharge tube, an auxiliary relay adapted to be energized by one of said blades in one of its extreme positions, means controlled by said auxiliary relay and adapted to modify the voltage to be regulated, a potentiometric resistance inserted in the circuit means feeding voltage to the discharge tube, and normally open short-circuiting means connected across at least part of said potentiometric resistance and adapted to be closed by the second blade in one of its extreme positions.

2. A voltage-regulating device, comprising a discharge tube, circuit means feeding same with a voltage forming a predetermined fraction of 'the voltage to be regulated, an amplifying tube including a. grid and an anode, means \vherethrough the discharge tube, upon discharge thereof, produces a negative bias on said grid of the amplifier tube, a circuit fed by the anode of the amplifier tube, a beating relay fed by said anode circuit, said beating relay including two blades moving between two predetermined extreme positions, two pairs of contact pieces between which the blades respectively move under the action of the beating relay, auxiliary relays controlled respectively by the engagement of one of said blades with the corresponding contact-pieces, means responsive to the energization of said auxiliary relays whereby the energization of the auxiliary relays operate to return the volt age to be regulated to its datum value, a potentiometric resistance inserted in the circuit means feeding voltage to the discharge tube, and normally open short-circuiting means connected across at least part of said potentiometric resistance and adapted to be closed by the second blade in one of its extreme positions.

3; A voltage-regulating device, comprising a discharge tube, circuit means feeding same with a voltage forming a predetermined fraction of the voltage to be regulated, an amplifying tube including a grid and an anode, means wherethrough the discharge tube, upon discharge thereof, produces a negative bias on said grid of the amplifier tube, a circuit fed by the anode of the amplifier tube, a beating relay fed by said anode circuit, said beating relay including two blades moving between two predetermined extreme positions, two pairs of contact pieces between which said blades respectively move under the action of the beating relay, auxiliary relays controlled respectively by the engagement of one of said blades with the corresponding contact-pieces, an electric motor, means whereby the energization of either auxiliary relay controls its operation in either direction, a self-transformer including a slider, means whereby the motor controls the position of said slider in the self-transformer, means whereby the movement of the slider in the self-transformer returns the voltage to be regulated to its datum value, a potentiometric resistance, in the circuit means feeding volta e to the discharge tube, and normally open short-circuiting means connected across at least part of said potentiometric resistance and adapted to be closed by the second blade in one of its extreme positions engaging one of its contact pieces.

4. A voltage-regulating device, comprising a charged tube, circuit means for adiusting the starting volta e for said tube, means feeding the circuit means with a voltage forming a predetermined fraction of the voltage to be regulated, an amplifying tube including a grid and an anode, means wherethrough the discharge tube. upon discharge thereof, produces a ne ative bias on said grid of the amplifier tube, a circuit fed by the anode of the amplifier tube, a beating relay fed by said anode circuit, said beating relay including two blades moving between two predetermined extreme positions and occupying said positions respectively when the volta e feeding the discharge tube rises above and sinks below a predetermined normal value slightly beneath the firin potential of the discharge tube, an auxiliary relay adapted to be energized by one of said blades in one of its extreme positions, means controlled by said auxiliary relay and adapted to modify the voltage to be regulated. a potentiometric resistance in the circuit means feeding voltage to the discharge tube, and normally open short-circuiting means connected across at least part of said potentiometric resistance and adapted to be closed by the second blade in one of its extreme positions.

5. A voltage-regulating device comprising a discharge tube, an input transformer having a pair of windin s. and including a primary winding fed with alternatinz: current the voltage of which is to be regulated and a secondary winding, circuit means feeding voltage from the secondary winding to the discharge tube, an amplifying tube including a grid and an anode, means wherethrough the discharge tube, upon discharge thereof, produces a ne ative bias on said grid of the amplifier tube, an anode circuit fed by the anode of the amplifier tube, a beating relay fed by said anode circuit, said beating relay including two blades moving between two predetermined extreme positions and occupying said positions respectively when the voltage feeding the discharge tube rises above and sinks below a predetermined normal value slightly beneath the firing potential of the discharge tube, an auxiliary relay adapted to be energized by one of said blades in one of its extreme positions, means controlled by said auxiliary relay and adapted to modify the voltage to be regulated, a potentiometric resistance in the circuit means feeding voltage to the discharge tube, and normally open short-circuiting means connected across at least part of said potentiometric resistance and adapted-to be closed by the second blade in one of its extreme positions.

6. A voltage-regulating device for direct current, comprising a discharge tube, circuit means feeding same with a voltage forming a predetermined fraction of the voltage to be regulated, an amplifying tube including a grid and an anode, means wherethrough the discharge tube, upon discharge thereof, produces a negative bias on said grid of the amplifier tube, a circuit fed by the anode of the amplifier tube, a beating relay fed by said anode circuit, said heating relay including two blades moving between two predetermined extreme positions and occupying said positions respectively when the voltage feeding the discharge tube rises above and sinks below a predetermined normal value slightly beneath the firing potential of the discharge tube, an auxiliary relay adapted to be energized by one of said blades in one of its extreme positions, means controlled by said auxiliary relay and adapted to modify the voltage to be regulated, a potentiometric resistance in the circuit means feeding voltage to the discharge tube, normally open short-circuiting means connected across at least part of said potentiometric resistance and adapted to be closed by the second blade in one of its extreme positions, and a source of additional direct current voltage in series between said discharge tube and the means feeding voltage thereto.

7. A voltage-regulating device for direct current, comprising a discharge tube, circuit means feeding same with a voltage forming a predetermined fraction of the voltage to be regulated, an amplifying tube including a grid and an anode, means wherethrough the discharge tube, upon discharge thereof, produces a negative bias on said grid of the amplifier tube, a circuit fed by the anode of the amplifier tube, a beating relay fed by said anode circuit, said heating relay including two blades moving between two predetermined extreme positions and occupying said positions respectively when the voltage feeding the discharge tube rises above and sinks below a predetermined normal value slightly beneath the firing potential of the discharge tube, an auxiliary relay adapted to be energized by one of said blades in one of its extreme positions, means controlled by said auxiliary relay and adapted to modify the voltage to be regulated, a potentiometric resistance in the circuit means feeding voltage to the dis charge tube, normally open short-circuiting means connected across at least part of said potentiometric resistance and adapted to be closed by the second blade in one of its extreme positions, a rectifier in series with said discharge tube and with the circuit means feeding voltage thereto and a stabilizing tube associated with said rectifier.

8. A voltage-regulating device, comprising a discharge tube, supply means feeding the voltage to be regulated, circuit means feeding the discharge tube with a predetermined fraction of the voltage to be regulated, an amplifying tube including a grid and an anode, means wherethrough the discharge tube, upon discharge thereof, produces a negative bias on said grid of the amplifier tube, an anode circuit fed by the anode of the amplifier tube, a beating relay fed by said anode circuit, said beating relay including two blades moving between two predetermined extreme positions, two pairs of contactpieces between which the blades respectively move under the action of the beating relay, auxiliary relays controlled respectively by the engagement of one of said blades with the corresponding contact-piece, an auxiliary motor controlled in opposite directions by said auxiliary relays and controlling the supply means to return the voltage to be regulated to its datum value, a potentiometric resistance in the circuit means feeding voltage to the discharge tube and normally open short-circuiting means connected across at least part of said potentiometric resistance and adapted to be closed by the second blade upon engagement with one of its contactpieces.

9. A voltage-regulating device, comprising a discharge tube, circuit means feeding same with a voltage forming a predetermined fraction of the voltage to be regulated, an amplifying tube including a grid and an anode, means wherethrough the discharge tube, upon discharge thereof, produces a negative bias on said grid of the amplifier tube, a circuit feed by the anode of the amplifier tube, a delayed action beating relay fed by said anode circuit, said beating relay including two blades moving between two predetermined extreme positions and occupying said positions respectively when the voltage feeding the discharge tube rises above and sinks below a predetermined normal value slightly beneath the firing potential of the discharge tube, an auxiliary relay adapted to be energized by one of said blades in one of its extreme positions, means controlled by said auxiliary relay and adapted to modify the voltage to be regulated, a potentiometric resistance in the circuit means feeding voltage to the discharge tube, and normally open shortcircuiting means connected across at least part of said potentiometric resistance and adapted to be closed by the second blade in one of its extreme positions.

10. A voltage-regulating device, comprising a d5;- charge tube, circuit means feeding same with a voltage forming a predetermined fraction of the voltage to be regulated, an amplifying tube including a grid and an anode, means wherethrough the discharge tube, upon discharge thereof, produces a negative bias on said grid of the amplifier tube, a circuit fed by the anode of the amplifier tube, a delayed action beating relay fed by said anode circuit, said beating relay including two blades moving between two predetermined extreme positions and occupying said positions respectively when the voltage feeding the discharge tube rises above and sinks below a predetermined normal value slightly beneath the firing potential of the discharge tube, an auxiliary relay adapted to be energized by one of said blades in one of its extreme positions and the attracting action of which is delayed, means controlled by said auxiliary relay and adapted to modify the voltage to be regulated, a potentiometric resistance in the circuit means feeding voltage to the discharge tube, and normally open short-circuiting means connected across at least part of said potentiometric resistance and adapted to be closed by the second blade in one of its extreme positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,504,017 George et a1 Apr. 11, 1950 

